Camera Lens Body Shield and Focus Assist Device

ABSTRACT

A protective lens cover shields the body of a camera lens from damage. The protective lens cover resembles the shape of the lens being shielded and is essentially the same axial length as the lens—that is, the protective lens cover extends from the lens-camera joint to the outer lens element. Hence, the entire body of the lens is covered except for the lens elements and camera mount surface. On the interior surface of the protective lens cover is a cloth material, such as felt, cotton or velvet, affixed to the main body through an adhesive process like glue or tape. The cloth is the sole feature of the protective lens cover that contacts with the camera lens. The remainder of the interior of the protective lens cover provides a small empty space surrounding the lens body, thereby providing a barrier against damage. The protective lens cover being produced by 3D printing means.

This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/854,447, entitled “Camera Lens Body Shield and FocusAssist Device”, by Bravin Neff, filed on Apr. 24, 2013, and is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/259,587, entitled“Camera Lens Body Shield and Focus Assist Device”, by Bravin Neff, filedon Apr. 23, 2014.

FIELD OF USE

The invention relates to a protective cover for a camera lens, and moreparticularly, to a camera lens cover which enables the full use of saidlens while protecting said lens against impacts, scrapes, and otherdamage which can occur during normal use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some camera lenses can cost a thousand dollars or more. During normalusage, a camera lens is prone to being damaged in a number of ways; thecamera may be dropped, or the lens itself may collide with hard objects.

Numerous devices have been devised to protect camera lenses.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/651,511 (Dowell) discloses a paddedprotective frusto-conical shaped cup covering sized to slip over acamera lens is disclosed. The covering is designed to fit on either thefront portion of the lens or the rear lens mount. The protectivecovering has beveled side walls which allow it to fit easily on avariety of different lenses. The protective covering is made from twoseparate layers of material, an outer cup made from a firm yet flexiblematerial, and the inner liner made from a soft pliable material. In oneembodiment the outer cup includes a circumferential retaining ring onthe inside of the cup to help secure the cup onto a lens.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,672,491 (Immel) discloses An eye guard for use on theeye-end of an optical instrument is provided having an instrument-endmember adapted for connection to the optical instrument, an eye-endmember adapted to interface with the periocular portion of the user'sface, a hinge member disposed between the instrument-end and eye-endmembers having two flexible annular hinges, and a diaphragm comprising aplurality of segments attached to the interior of the hinge memberbetween the annular hinges. The force of the user's eye pressing theeye-end member toward the instrument-end member deforms the annularhinges such that the normally closed diaphragm segments move to an openposition, allowing light to pass through the eye guard.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,358,928 (Appel et al.) discloses a lens guard forprotecting a camera. The lens guard includes a lens guard housing, apressurized gas system, and a gas supply. The housing defines an openingand has a transparent protective lens disposed in the opening and havingan outer surface exposed to the environment, an upper portion, and aportion defining apertures shaped to respectively receive therein camerasupport rods operable to mount the lens-guard housing to the camera infront of a lens.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,523 (Dowell) discloses a padded protective cupshaped covering sized to slip over a camera lens. The covering fits ontoeither the front portion of the lens or the lens mount. The protectivecovering has beveled side walls which allow it to fit easily on avariety of different lenses.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,118,439 (Cuadra) discloses a selectively positionablelens cover having a lens housing volume and an arcuate lip portion forthe selective engagement to and disengagement from a lens. The lenscover has a first engagement structure whereby the first engagementstructure may be releaseably engaged with and removed from a secondengagement structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,266 (Maeda) depicts a lens cap formed with not onlya lens covering portion for covering the photographic objective lens ofa camera, but also with both a portion, such as protection wall forpreventing inadvertent operation of the camera shutter release buttonand a projection for preventing unexpected movement of the operationmember of the camera which is adapted for switching the camera from anormal photography condition to a flash photography condition.

What is needed is a protection lens cover that does not interfere withthe optical path and need not be removed to capture a photographicimage, and can remain on the camera lens indefinitely.

What is needed is a lens cover that protects the entire outer surface ofthe lens body without covering any of the lens elements or camera-mountsurfaces. What is needed is a protection lens cover that provides aninterference fit with the focus ring of the lens to preserve the abilityof manual focus.

What is needed is a lens cover that provides an interference fitenabling the lens cover to remain in place despite the orientation ofthe camera. What is needed is a protection lens cover that remains inplace on the camera lens if the camera lens is rapidly acceleratedthrough space or if the camera lens is struck by a foreign object. Whatis needed is a protection lens cover that preserves the resale value ofa camera lens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The camera lens body shield and focus assist device of the presentinvention addresses all of these needs.

A primary purpose of the camera lens body shield and focus assist deviceof the present invention is to prevent damage to a camera lens while, atthe same time, enabling the use of all camera and lens functions. Thecamera lens body shield and focus assist device has the same generalshape as the camera lens being shielded and is essentially the sameaxial length as the lens—that is, the protective lens cover extends fromthe lens-camera joint to the outer lens element. This reduces bulk,while enabling the normal functions, such as the focus-zoom ring, of thelens to be used. Hence, the entire body of the lens is covered exceptfor the lens elements and camera mount surface. On the interior surfaceof the protective lens cover is a cloth material, such as felt, cottonor velvet, affixed to the main body with adhesive, glue, tape, bondingagent, or the like. The cloth is the sole feature of the protective lenscover that contacts the camera lens. The remainder of the interior ofthe protective lens cover provides a small empty space surrounding thelens body, providing a barrier against damage.

For a complete understanding of camera lens body shield and focus assistdevice, reference is made to the following summary of the inventiondetailed description and accompanying drawings in which the presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example. Asthe invention may be embodied in many forms without departing fromspirit of essential characteristics thereof, it is expressly understoodthat the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only,and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment of the camera lens body shieldand focus assist device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an assembly view of the camera lens body shield and focusassist device of FIG. 1 and a camera and a camera lens for which is canbe used.

FIG. 3 depicts a camera lens upon which the camera lens and the cameralens body shield and focus assist device of FIG. 1 is mounted.

FIG. 4A depicts the end view, FIG. 4B depicts the top view, and FIG. 4Cdepicts Section A-A taken from top view of FIG. 4B of the camera lensbody shield and focus assist device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 depicts camera lens body shield of FIG. 1 without the alignmentnotch.

FIG. 6 depicts the camera lens body shield of FIG. 1 with a lens hood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of the lens cover of the present invention [10] insolid model and wire form from the off-set view with the exterior andinterior clearly visible. There is an alignment notch [20] in thesurface of the lens cover [10]. The alignment notch [20] is used toalign the cover with the lens alignment red-dot which is found on somelenses which are used when attaching lenses to the camera. When the lenscover [10] is attached to the camera, the alignment notch [20] is linedup with the alignment dot on the lens, which enables the user to alignthe lens when attaching and removing the lens from the camera body.Around the body of the lens cover [10] is focus-adjust knurling [18]which is positioned in the same place as the focus-adjust ring of thelens.

FIG. 2 depicts an assembly view of the camera lens body shield and focusassist device of FIG. 1 and a camera [11] and a camera lens [12] forwhich is can be used.

FIG. 3 depicts the camera lens cover [10] prior to attachment to thecamera lens [12] by the user. Also, visible is the focus-adjust knurling[18] which gives tactile feedback to the user during focus-zoomadjustment.

FIG. 4A depicts the end view, FIG. 4B depicts the top view, and FIG. 4Cdepicts Section A-A taken from top view of lens cover [10]. The liningmaterial [15] is visible in FIG. 4C. The camera lens cover [10] slidesover the camera lens [12] and is held in place via the lining material[15] which compresses against the focus ring of the camera lens [12] orthe zoom ring. The inside of the lens cover [10] with the liningmaterial [15] is slightly smaller in diameter than the lens [12], whichcreates an interference fit, firmly affixing the lens cover [10] to thecamera lens [12] while still retaining the use of the focus-zoom and allother lens and camera functions. Around the outside of the lens cover[10] is the focus-adjust knurling [18] which is positioned in the sameplace as the focus-adjust ring of the camera lens to allow ease of use.

FIG. 5 depicts an isometric view of the lens cover [10] without analignment notch to be used on camera's on which there is no need for thealignment notch [20].

FIG. 6 depicts the lens cover [10] which is longer than the axial lengthof the lens which has a lens hood attachment.

The lens cover [10] is lens specific and made from a light weightmaterial, while being the same axial length of the lens, preventing anyinterference with lens accessories, such as lens filters and hoods,while allowing the user to have a cover for each lens, not requiring theuser to constantly remove and replace the lens cover [10]. This willprevent the user from needing to move the cover from lens to lens everytime a lens is changed, thereby reducing the likelihood of losing thelens cover [10]. The lens cover [10] can also be less than or greaterthan the axial length of the lens. When the lens cover [10] is greaterthan the axial length of the lens, permanently attached accessories maybe used, such as a lens hood [25].

The lens cover lining material [15] is adhered to the inside of the lenscover [10] via glue or double-sided adhesive tape and can be replaced ifit wears out from usage. As a result of the interference fit created bythe lining material [15] and the protective lens cover [10], the coverremains on the lens even if the camera is accelerated through space asoccurs when the camera is dropped or bumped against various objectsduring normal usage.

The inside diameter of the lens cover [10], with cloth, is slightlysmaller than the outside diameter of the focus ring of the lens body,creating an interference fit. The interference is made possible throughcompliance or compression of the lens cover lining material [15]. Thefocus ring of the camera lens [12] is therefore manipulated throughcontact with the cloth material, which is in turn manipulated by theentire body of the invention. Thus the entire outer surface of the lenscover [10] becomes an extension of the focus ring (which by comparisonis generally narrower) and can be touched anywhere on its body, by thecamera operator, to manipulate focus. The lens cover [10] has focusadjust knurling [18] which is positioned in the same location on thecover [10] as the focus-zoom ring, maintaining the same kind of feel asthe lens.

Unlike other camera lens shields, which are either permanently affixed,or prevent the use of the focus mechanism, the camera lens body shieldand focus assist device does not need to be removed to utilize the focusring. Even if the operator elects autofocus, the manual focus ability ismaintained if the operator wants it. The device can be left on the lensindefinitely. In other alternative embodiments the device of the presentinvention can be removed and stored separately. In the micro 4/3 camerasegment, of which this shield is ideally suited, there is nothingcurrently in existence which protects the lens, while allowing normaluse. Also, other lens protectors are intended for use when the cameralens is not in use, either for transportation or for protecting the lenswhile it is not being used and is not mounted to the camera. The cameralens body shield and focus assist device of the present invention [10]provides the necessary impact and scratch protection while not adverselyinterfering with the optical path of the camera lens [12], enabling fulllens and camera functionality.

By preventing damage to the lens, which aside from the camera body, canbe the most expensive part of a camera system, the resale value ispreserved, enabling the user to maximize the potential resale value oftheir camera system.

Additionally, the camera lens body shield and focus assist device [10]of the present invention may incorporate ribs or splines that resemblethe focus rings on commercial camera lenses. This provides additionalrealism with a visual resemblance to the lens being shielded and thefocusing functionality is enhanced.

The camera lens body shield of the present invention [10] may beproduced utilizing 3D printing technology currently available fromcompanies such as Zortrax, which recently sold several thousand units toDell Corp., MakerBot, Stratasys etc. Or, the camera lens body shield ofthe present invention [10] can be made more conventionally utilizinginjection molding.

In the 3D printing process, the CAD files are uploaded to the machine,or sent to a service, such as i.materialize, and the machine then“prints” the item, in this case the camera lens protective cover. Thematerial the lens cover is printed from is plastic, but can be one of alarge range of materials currently printable (e.g., nylon, stainlesssteel, etc.). For printing plastic parts a spool of plastic material isfed through the printer head and heated to its melting point allowingthe printing to start. Once the optimal temperature has been reached,the printer begins to print the item, one layer at a time. This process,while slow, is very precise and allows for easy changes if the parthappens to be out of specification, which is not the case in traditionalinjection molding. If a part is out of spec in injection molding, themold tooling will need to be reworked and possibly even replaced, whichcan be very expensive and time consuming. There is also the high initialcost of mold tooling Also, injection molding frequently requires aminimum order to create an economy of scale, otherwise the cost per unitis prohibitively high. With a 3d printer, any quantity can be printedfor a reasonable cost.

Throughout this specification, various Patent and Applications arereferenced by application number and inventor. The disclosures of thesePatents and Applications are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties into this specification in order to more fully describe thestate-of-the-art.

It is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations ofthe camera lens body shield and focus assist device will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in light of the disclosure herein. It isintended that the metes and bounds of the present invention bedetermined by the appended claims rather than by the language of theabove specification, and that all such alternatives, modifications, andvariations which form a conjointly cooperative equivalent are intendedto be included within the spirit and scope of these claims.

PARTS LIST

10. Lens Cover

11. Camera

12. Camera Lens

14. Camera Lens Knurling

15. Focus Ring Protective Material

16. Camera Lens Knurled Surfaces

17. Camera Lens Focus Ring

18. Focus Adjustment Knurling

20. Lens Alignment Notch

25. Lens Hood

I claim:
 1. A lens cover for protecting a camera lens, said lens coverhaving a contoured inner surface that essentially matches an outersurface of said camera lens, said lens cover having a lining materialdisposed internally which contacts said outer surface of said cameralens, said lining material firmly affixing said lens cover to saidcamera lens, said lining material maintaining an interference fitbetween said lens cover and said camera lens to secure said lens coverin place over said camera lens, said lens cover protecting a body ofsaid camera lens, said lens cover including a portion that does notcontact said camera lens, said portion that does not contact said cameralens providing a barrier against damage to said camera lens.
 2. The lensprotecting device of claim 1, wherein said protecting device is madeusing 3D printing means, a CAD model of said protecting device for saidcamera lens being uploaded to said 3D printer means and said lensprotecting device is printed using a printing material.
 3. The lensprotecting device of claim 1, wherein an optical path of said cameralens is unaffected by said lens protecting device, enabling normalfunction of a camera lens.
 4. The lens protecting device of claim 1,wherein said lens alignment notch enables a correct alignment of thecamera lens during installation and removal of said lens.
 5. The lensprotecting device of claim 1, wherein said protecting device is lessthan an axial length of said camera lens enabling use of lensaccessories.
 6. The lens protecting device of claim 5, wherein saidprotecting device is equal to said axial length of said camera lens. 7.The lens protecting device of claim 5, wherein said protecting device isgreater than said axial length of said camera.
 8. A device forprotecting a lens of a camera, said device having a contoured innersurface that closely matches the outer surface of a camera lens and aninner lining material which contacts a focus or zoom ring of said cameralens, said lining material providing an interference fit, said liningmaterial firmly affixing said lens cover to a camera lens enabling useof a focus or zoom function of said camera lens while said lensprotecting device is affixed about said camera lens, said liningmaterial maintaining a fit between said protecting device and saidcamera lens to secure said protecting device in place over said camera.9. The lens protecting device of claim 8, wherein said protecting deviceis made using 3D printing means, a CAD model of said protecting devicefor said camera lens being uploaded to said 3D printer means and saidlens protecting device is printed using a printing material.
 10. Thelens protecting device of claim 8, wherein said ribs, splines, orknurling, are disposed in a same place as a focus or zoom ring on saidlens, enhancing tactile feel and functionality of said lens protectivecover.
 11. The lens protecting device of claim 8, wherein said lensalignment notch enables correct alignment of said lens duringinstallation and removal of said camera lens.
 12. The camera lensprotecting device of claim 8, wherein an optical path of a lens isunaffected by said device, enabling normal function of a camera lens.13. The camera lens protecting device of claim 8, wherein saidprotecting device is an axial length of said camera lens, said axiallength enabling the use of lens accessories.
 14. The camera lensprotecting device of claim 8, wherein said protecting device is an axiallength of said camera lens, a length of said protecting device isgreater than said axial length of said camera lens.
 15. A device forprotecting a lens of a camera, said device having a contoured innersurface that closely matches the outer surface of a camera lens; ribs,splines, or knurling disposed on an outer surface of said protectingdevice; and an inner lining material which contacts a focus or zoom ringof said camera lens, said lining material providing an interference fit,said lining material firmly affixing said lens cover to a camera lensenabling use of a focus-zoom function of said camera lens while saidlens protecting device is affixed about said camera lens, said liningmaterial maintaining a fit between said protecting device and saidcamera lens to secure said protecting device in place over said camera.16. The lens protecting device of claim 15, wherein said protectingdevice is made using 3D printing means, a CAD model of said protectingdevice for said camera lens being uploaded to said 3D printer means andsaid lens protecting device is printed using a printing material. 17.The lens protecting device of claim 15, wherein said ribs, splines, orknurling, are disposed in a same place as a focus or zoom ring on saidlens, enhancing tactile feel and functionality of said lens protectivecover.
 18. The camera lens protecting device of claim 15, wherein anoptical path of a lens is unaffected by said device, enabling normalfunction of a camera lens.
 19. The camera lens protecting device ofclaim 15, wherein said protecting device is an axial length of saidcamera lens, said axial length enabling the use of lens accessories. 20.The camera lens protecting device of claim 15, wherein said protectingdevice is an axial length of said camera lens, a length of saidprotecting device is greater than said axial length of said camera lens.